Apologies, I didn’t post yesterday as I needed a day escaping from reality.
Anyway, another of my fellow Anthology authors is In the Spotlight as of yesterday. Meet L.T. Ward and learn about how the weather and an ancient site inspired her at the IWSG Anthology blog – and helped a budding actor move forward.
https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-spotlight-lt-ward-author-of-return.html
Another of my fellow Anthology author’s is In the Spotlight today. Meet Beth Schuck and learn about how the power of nature inspired her at the IWSG Anthology blog.
https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-spotlight-beth-schuck-author-of.html
As April draws nearer so does the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge and lots of exciting posts on loads of new sites.
I’ve been doing the A to Z Challenge since 2014 and began pondering my 2020 theme sometime last year. But in the last few months, everything has overwhelmed me – emails, regular posts like IWSG and WEP, replying to comments, and my own writing. Plus, my health issues.
So, I’m taking the simpler way out – reposting my best posts from 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
Thanks to Jacqui Murray for triggering that approach with her 2019 solution: ..a genre for every letter of the alphabet, but with one or two posts every month. Her reasoning chimed with my own thoughts about too many posts to write/read/comment on etcetera in April.
She wasn’t alone as others found other solutions to negotiating the A to Z Challenge.
However, I’m still going to post on the official A to Z days, starting with A for Assault on Wednesday April 1st, 2020. If you’re tempted and follow that link, you will discover Part One of Azure Spark, which evolved into a novella featuring my Welsh detective Sparkle Anwyl. I edited the posts into three acts, and all three will be posted during April: on the 1st, 11th, and 23rd.
I suspect not everyone got to read ‘Azure Spark’ so this will be another chance. A chance to to revisit older posts on other themes; like my 2017 History of Kanata or my 2015 The War of 1812. But I’ve yet to decide what posts to choose.
Watch this space.
All I can say is Sparkle Anwyl’s case will be complete, and Azure Spark is referenced in my WIP ‘Fevered Fuse’ – my current priority along with the more imminent and crucial release of the IWSG Anthology, Voyagers: The Third Ghost on May 5th.
V for Voyagers on April 25th?
Another of my fellow Anthology author’s is In the Spotlight today. Meet Rebecca Douglass and learn about the seed sown by family history at the IWSG Anthology blog.
https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-spotlight-rebecca-douglass-author-of.html
Another of my fellow Anthology author’s is In the Spotlight today. Meet Bish Denham and learn about Jacques and the horrors of slavery at the IWSG Anthology blog.
https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-spotlight-bish-denham-author-of.html
Take your pick. Or it’s habit which brings me back every first Wednesday to spin my way through the IWSG monthly blog post.
For that, I’m grateful the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh who created the Insecure Writer’s Support Group as they do such amazing things for writers, from the annual Anthology to friendly advice for all us vacillating writers. Many thanks, Captain Alex, for keeping me inspired to keep writing.
Not least for ensuring I wrote a crucial short, Feathered Fire.
Today brings us ever closer to the release of the new IWSG anthology, Voyagers: The Third Ghost on May 5, 2020. I can’t wait to see what other contributors have penned – the weekly interviews add to the anticipation.
I’ve already pre-ordered my copy – from the UK – and if you are tempted, these are the purchase links:
Amazon:
Print https://www.amazon.com/dp/193984472X/
Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Third-Ghost-Yvonne-Ventresca-ebook/dp/B083C4WPR5/
Barnes & Noble:– https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voyagers-yvonne-ventresca/1135912991?ean=2940163430857
ITunes: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/voyagers-the-third-ghost/id1493413956
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/voyagers-the-third-ghost
https://twitter.com/DancingLemurPre/status/1230480335625969666
Okay, before I lose the plot, IWSG day is here again – and so am I, attempting to ensure I clear the pre-publication Anthology hurdle.
Anyway, on to the monthly question which always creates such fascinating posts. Apologies in advance for the slow visits on my part – I’m still wading through the last IWSG-day backlog. Or are they last year’s posts?
March 4 question – Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
All I could focus on at first were places where I grew up – like the farm which became a key setting for my debut novel. Forget that red herring.
Is going to church on Sunday a custom?
^*^
As children we went most Sundays, plus Easter and Christmas. We either walked with our governess to the local St Margaret’s Church, or drove with a parent to our family church, All Saints – both were Church of England (Anglican) and part of the united benefice of West Hoathly and Highbrook.
All Saints in Highbrook was founded in 1884, funded by two wealthy sisters, Frances Kirby and Caroline Weguelin, on land owned by the Clarke family and with stone from our quarry. Many of my ancestors are buried there including my mother, but not my father who is buried in a wood on the family estate. My parents were married at All Saints and so was I to my current wife as I was baptised there.
^*^
Relevant?
Well, the MC in my North Wales police procedural series, Sparkle Anwyl is from a chapel-attending family. Her maternal grandparents are god-fearing, and she tries going to chapel every Sunday. But as her tad, Sergeant Marc Anwyl says, ‘crime never sleeps on the Sabbath’, so her attendance as an adult is erratic. However, there are scenes at two family graveyards in two different novels, and my mind did reflect on the times I attended family funerals at All Saints – and when I sat in the family pew inside.
Does that count? Two different countries but the same religion.
**
The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are Jacqui Murray, Lisa Buie-Collard,Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!
(As always, you must agree these guys are the best. They all have commitments too – but they volunteer. Ticker-tape applause for all of them – plus toasts too. Does coffee count?)
Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Writing Wings 